Atleast 53 Dead, Nearly 300 Injured in Train Accident in Cameroon

Authorities say the figures represent a provisional toll from the accident.

Local reports suggest the number of injured could be as high as 570. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@Africanews)

Fifty-three people were killed and nearly 300 injured on Friday when a packed passenger train travelling between Cameroon's two largest cities derailed and overturned, the transportation minister said.

However, local reports suggest the number of injured could be as high as 570.

Speaking on state radio, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o said the figures represented a provisional toll from the accident, which occurred near the train station in the town of Eseka, around 120 km (75 miles) west of Yaounde.

(With inputs from Reuters.)